San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-11-08

be but Bruckncl himself!
II was an odd coincidence that brought
him to my chambers ON that afternoon Of
all others; for he had never so far hOuored
me before but he had evidently not come
with any idea OF meeting Jim, whom lie
glanced NJ with an impatient frown and
did not recognize. Jim yls certainly al
tered but Bracknell Wa perhaps even
more So He had lost his good looks to
great extent and carried more superilu-
Gus flesh than he was entitled To ut his
age. His constitution was a fine one,
but believe he mixed his liquors in an
appalling manner, and one can't sit up all
night and every night, playing cards,
without exhibiting traces Of fatigue
Jim stared at him in n sort of constcr-
nation: no doubt the change in his for
mcr friend was more apparent to him than
il was To me. A. he did not see fit TO de
clare himself the duty Of making him
known dcyoIyel upon me, and | watched
with some interest the demeanor Of the
two men who were thus Unexpectedly
brought face to face once more. Jim got
up slowly, looking very grave, and said,
GLOW do you do, BraCkncils" But BraCk-
nell burst into Il laugh and seized his old
school fellow by the hand.
"Jim Leigh, as I'm living sinner
he exclaimed Dear old jim, Where
on earth have you been concealing your
self for the last hundred years Didn't
somebody tell me You were going in for
big game in central Africa or somewhere?
! wish had been going with you! Let
me know when you start of again, and
III see if ! can get ont Of this for few
months. by Jove what a relief il would
be-"
Ii was so evident that he had completely
forgotten the triiling circumstance Of his
having once robbed Jim Of wife
that was shaken by internal laughter,
and had to turn away to conceal my emo
ton; but Jim, | dare say, saw nothing to
laugh at in such CallOusnrsS.
Il don't think | am likely to be making
any more expeditions of the kind yet
awhile" he answered cOldly. Il have
stayed away from England too long as
it IS -
"IIave you" srid Erackncl. whose at
tentIun was already beginning to wander.
"Well. don't know: England's beastly
country to live in, snless one has about
$50, 900 a year, clear. You don't mind
my smoking, dc YOU, Maynard?'
| said did not; and he added, lowering
his voice slightly, 81 want just to have a
word or two with YOU presently, if you're
not busy
jim took this rather broad hint and put
on his hat. After had ascertained his
address and had arranged a meeting with
him for the following day, he turueI to
60; bu: Brucknell, starting out of fit Of
ahstra ton. caught him suddenly by the
elbow with renewed cordiality.
Going to stay in London for II bity'' he
asked. "Nou must look us up in Wilton
place, old chap. You know my wife?"
Il had the pleasure of being rather in
timately acquainted with Lady Bracknell
some years ago" replied Jim, grimly.
ooh. yes, of course. Well, she'll be
very glad to see you again. Come and
dine with us some evening. | expect we're
pretty deeply engaged just now, but I'll
drop you IL line. ~
Wien jim had departed, | could not
help rcmarkimg, at must be very con
venent to have such bad memory as
yours.
Brackncll was apparently preocCupied.
bad memory How do you means' he
asked. "Oh, see, But it would be more
to the purpose to pity Leigh for having
such a cuuIoUndcdly good one, wouldn't it,
He looked as sulky aS n bear. | say, May
nard, will You do me Il small favor?'
"Ihut depends on what it may be, " |
answered.
"Oh. it isn't much Of a one. You know
the editor Of TIE PiCCadilly Gazette, don't
yous Well. just run your eye over this
paragraph thai he has put into his sour
rilous paper"
He drew q newspaper from his pocket
and pointed to the following Oracular an
nouncement:
"A certain noble earl is not quite so
enfeablrd in intelligence as is sometimes
supposed Not satisfied with knowing
that his son is heir presumptive to vast
estate, he is moving heaven and earth to
get his daU"ltnr married to the present
holder thereof: 50 that. in case of the ad-
vent Of an heir apparent upon the scene,
the property may at least remain in the
family. And yet the heir presumptive is
not happy they say
Il don't want Aft Bcauchamp to read
that sort Of thing, you know, said Brack-
nell.
81 can well believe that you DON'T" !
answercd .'bUt how do you propose to
prevent him from reading it, since it is
already in print>'
"Oh, that's nothing. Very likely he
won't see it: and if he does see it, the odds
are that ne won't understand What !
want is to stop this newspaper brute from
speaking more plainly. You might be
good fellow and manage it for me. Tell
him well inyite him to dinner if he likes,
and if that won't do, find out what will
do | suppose he has his price"
every likely he has, " answered, "and
am much nattered by your intrusting me
with this delicate mission. But am like
the EDITOR demand my quid pro quo,
and if do this for YOU, YOU will have to